Undoubtedly, the Youth of today are ambitious yet impatient and like a time bomb, they can explode at any time if care is not taken. We must direct their energy into good and productive use else "evil will find work for their idle minds and hands" and by then it will be too late for any action”. OAD believes that the best way to improve human lives, and make governing easier for African Leaders, is to make agriculture and aquaculture Economically and Socially attractive for the Youth – by creating an enabling operating environment; that includes infrastructure, technology, education, input credits, improved markets access and capacity building for our young agribiz entrepreneurs - to be profitably engaged in lucrative agriculture. Unemployed Youth are a danger to themselves and the continent’s development. Our people, particularly the youth, make perilous journeys abroad in a desperate attempt to escape the “lack of economic opportunities in Africa”.

It is towards the eradication of these problems that OAD has designed the "FOODGOALS" AFRICAN FARMERS AND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCHERS (AFAR)AWARDS and the post award projects christened “Peace And Ethical Prosperity Programme” to promote agriculture and create better opportunities for farmers, especially the Youth and Women.

The "FOODGOALS" AFAR AWARDS, unites notable icons and role models in African politics, business, industry, sports and culture, in one memorable event - to recognise, honour and encourage the work of outstanding African farmers and agricultural researchers – thereby informing and inspiring African youth to do even more and better.

OAD has designed this uniquely innovative self-financing and self-sustaining initiative to be celebrated yearly in every country across African and periodically at the continental level.

KEY GOALS:

Create and African award, and Official Public Holiday - to commemorate, honour and reward African Farmers and Agricultural Researchers, in AU member states, and at regional and continental levels.

Work with traditional and modern authorities, to make land more easily available for agriculture.

*Prior to the Grand Awards Dinner, an annual celebration of the National Best Farmer and the National Best Agricultural Researcher will be held in each African country under the auspices of their respective Heads of State. This self-financing initiative when celebrated at the country level will provide nominees for the continental Grand Awards.*